Brigade makes road safety list and encourages Londoners to check it twice before driving home for Christmas

London Fire Brigade is encouraging Londoners to follow Santa’s lead by making a list and checking it twice before driving home for Christmas, as figures show that the risk of road traffic collisions increases by 25 per cent over the festive period.  

Across the festive period of 14 December – 29 December, firefighters attended an average of more than 12 road traffic collisions a day, while for the remainder of the month the average was less than 10 road traffic collisions a day. In total, firefighters attended 348 road traffic collisions in December 2024, a 10 per cent rise on the same period in 2023.  

In December 2024, Christmas Eve was the joint busiest day for road traffic collisions as firefighters attended 19 incidents, with the busiest hours between 0100 and 1600. Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December also saw the same number of collisions requiring firefighters to attend, followed by Sunday 22 December with 17 road traffic collisions. 

Seasonal changes such as rain, ice, snow and shorter days can bring new hazards to the capital’s roads over the winter. Wet or icy road conditions alone can significantly impact the stopping distance of a vehicle's when braking in an emergency.  

Given the greater risks due to the weather and the increased number of people travelling on the roads, the Brigade is encouraging Londoners to exercise extra caution over the festive period.  

Assistant Commissioner for Fire Stations,  Andy Pennick said: “As the festive period and harsher weather approaches, many of us will be driving home for Christmas or taking to the roads after a night out in pubs and restaurants.  

“We want to remind the public that even small changes in weather and lighting over winter can create more challenging road conditions, significantly increasing the risk of collisions. Even the most experienced drivers may find themselves more likely to be involved in an accident. In very bad weather, we recommend that road users avoid travelling, especially if they don’t feel confident driving in poor conditions.  

“No matter the temptation, never drive under the influence of alcohol. Even if you’ve been to sleep for a few hours after drinking, you could still have enough alcohol in your system to put you over the drink driving limit. If you’re a passenger, make sure you don’t distract the driver at any time.  

“Our firefighters will be working hard over Christmas and are ready to respond in the event of an emergency.”  

The Brigade’s festive road safety advice: 

• Ensure that it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together: Check the forecast before you travel. Winter weather might cause road closures, delays and diversions, so check the National Highways website for the latest updates. 
• Make sure you jingle all the way: Ensure your vehicle is winter-ready. The RAC offers advice on quick winter driving checks before a journey. 
• In the bleak midwinter, leave extra time:  Don’t be tempted to go faster than is safe. Make sure you leave enough time to clear your windows and mirrors of ice or snow before setting out too. 
• All I want for Christmas… is an emergency winter travel kit: Containing useful items from de-icer to a shovel, a winter travel kit is an essential item for your boot. The Met Office has advice on how to prepare a winter kit for your vehicle. 
• When it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, consider braking distances: It can take up to ten times longer to stop in icy conditions. If you suspect a road is icy, avoid steering or braking harshly, in case your tyres lose their grip. Keep both hands on the wheel and take your time. 

The ‘fatal four’ causes of serious injuries and deaths on the roads:    

• Speeding: Driving too fast for the road conditions or exceeding the permitted speed limit is dangerous and could end up with tragic consequences. You could also face heavy fines, penalty points on your license or even be banned from driving.  
• Distractions: A split second of distraction, or loss of concentration, can cause a crash and injury to you and others. Using mobile devices such as phones while driving is illegal. Turn down loud music because it can prevent you from knowing what’s going on inside and outside your car.  
• Seat belts: It is against the law not to wear a seat belt, wear them even on short journeys and make sure children are correctly secured.  
• Driving under the influence: It is an offence to drive under the influence. The police can test for both alcohol and drug use at the roadside. Drugs can have an unpredictable effect on your driving, and it is impossible to know how much alcohol will affect you. If you are over the limit or test positive for drugs, you risk a fine, a criminal record or even prison sentence.  

Jules Pipe CBE, Deputy Mayor for the Fire Service, said: “The festive period is the busiest in the calendar for many Londoners as we dash out to visit family and friends and run last minute errands. But it can also be a dangerous time on the roads, with the number of collisions rising sharply over the holiday period. It’s crucial that we follow the Brigade’s advice and take extra care when driving this winter.”

You can find more road safety advice on the London Fire Brigade website.